Guardians of the Groundwater

by Jennifer Wemhoff, The Groundwater Foundation

Groundwater Guardian and Groundwater Guardian Green Sites are two of The Groundwater Foundation’s most prestigious programs. They, and the people that participate in them, help the Foundation deliver our mission of educating people and inspiring action to ensure sustainable, clean groundwater for future generations.

I always enjoy reflecting back on the past year with these programs. There are always challenges, but more often, there are triumphs. In a year where funding for the work we all do is limited, I’m amazed at the resourcefulness, innovation, and commitment of the individuals that spearhead Groundwater Guardian efforts and the groundwater-friendly practices on Green Sites.

Mostly, I like to reflect on the collective impact of the work that Groundwater Guardians and Green Sites do. Though the teams and sites that participate in the programs are as varied as can be, all are working – on their own, and all together – toward a common goal of groundwater protection and education. This is my favorite part of being involved in these programs – knowing that people in Oregon and Florida and Maryland and California and places in between are coming together, perhaps without even knowing it, to be advocates for their community’s groundwater. I hope all Groundwater Guardians and Green Sites know and understand that they are part of something larger than what happens in their town and on their site. They are part of a cooperative effort by citizens, educators, turfgrass professionals, mayors, golf course superintendents, city council members, park superintendents, utility managers, and many more to ensure that groundwater is understood and protected.

We at The Groundwater Foundation thank our Groundwater Guardian teams and Groundwater Guardian Green Sites for all that they do for groundwater.

Get your community or site involved in these programs today! Visit www.groundwater.org and click on the Groundwater Guardian or Green Site logos to learn more and see how you can be a part of this Groundwater Guardian movement!